Strange Taxes People Once Had To Pay
BY: PRAGATI UPADHYAY
Forget income tax, history is full of bizarre levies on everyday things. From windows to beards, here are some of the strangest ever.
When Taxes Got Weird
In 17th-century Russia, men paid to keep their beards. Those who didn’t pay had to shave, no matter their status.
The Beard Tax
Britain once taxed homes by their windows. Many bricked them up to avoid paying—leading to darker, gloomier houses.
The Window Tax
In 18th-century England, every hat carried a tax. Police even raided shops to check for unpaid levies on top hats.
The Hat Tax
For over 100 years, Britain taxed soap. It made cleanliness a luxury, hitting poor families the hardest.
The Soap Tax
France’s hated “gabelle” forced people to buy salt at high prices. It was so unpopular it fueled anger before the French Revolution.
The Salt Tax
Strange as they sound, these taxes shaped daily life—and even history. They remind us that what governments choose to tax can change society forever.
Odd Taxes, Big Impact